When asked about his reaction to the move, Mr Turnbull told 7.30 it was an internal matter for the Queensland Liberal-National party.

"I think there are some issues to be sorted out with the LNP in Queensland but these internal party matters, I think we should keep internal to the Coalition," Mr Turnbull said.

Mr Turnbull said he dumped Mr Macfarlane from Cabinet in September because he wanted to make way for new talent, not because of the minister's performance.

"He is a friend of mine, he's been a very capable minister," he said.

"[But] there are only so many places in the Cabinet and you cannot bring new talent up unless some of the older talent moves on."

While the LNP State Executive still needs to sign off on Mr Macfarlane's move, the National Party is using the defection to push for a fourth Cabinet position.

It is understood this is also a move by the Queensland LNP branch to increase its influence over the Nationals party room in Canberra.

The party currently holds three spots in Cabinet, but it argues that under a formula contained in the Coalition agreement, it is now entitled to 3.76.

According to Treasurer Scott Morrison, the Nationals should not hold their breath.

"What the Coalition agreement says is that when there is a reshuffle, that is when the leader decides to do one or when there is an election, then you have to take into account the proportions of the two parties, so what this does, is doesn't change anything," Mr Morrison said.

Some MPs have suggested Mr Turnbull could use the opportunity to demote his Special Minister of State, Mal Brough, who is under siege over his involvement in the Peter Slipper affair.

When asked whether Mr Brough had already offered to stand down, Mr Turnbull told 7.30 he said he did not want "to go into discussions between myself and ministers on this matter".

The LNP State Executive is expected to meet on Monday to approve or reject Mr Macfarlane's move.

Moscow's words and actions — including the alleged poisoning of a former spy — are not the results of random aggression but rather fall into distinct patterns that can help us anticipate Russia's next moves under Vladimir Putin.